Stainless steel can add a shimmer, a modern look, or much-needed balance to a kitchen.

Subtle or striking — stainless steel plays an important role in each of these kitchens.

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The Anti-Kitchen

The Anti-Kitchen

Stainless steel cabinets frame the stove in this East Hampton kitchen, giving the room a sleek look. "Sometimes it's about how much stuff you can take away," designer David Mitchell says. "In the kitchen— actually I call it the anti-kitchen—we kept the original stainless-steel cabinets and vintage restaurant stove and added marble countertops. I also loved the idea of having only one set of upper cabinets, and of hanging photographs on the tiles."

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Warm, Balanced Kitchen

Warm, Balanced Kitchen

Cool stainless steel balances the warmth of the wood in this Los Angeles kitchen. "The stainless steel does scratch, but it holds up well and the scratches add character and make the kitchen feel lived in," the owner of the house says. "We wanted a very clean look—no outlets showing."

The Anti-Kitchen

Stainless steel cabinets frame the stove in this East Hampton kitchen, giving the room a sleek look. "Sometimes it's about how much stuff you can take away," designer David Mitchell says. "In the kitchen— actually I call it the anti-kitchen—we kept the original stainless-steel cabinets and vintage restaurant stove and added marble countertops. I also loved the idea of having only one set of upper cabinets, and of hanging photographs on the tiles."

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Warm, Balanced Kitchen

Cool stainless steel balances the warmth of the wood in this Los Angeles kitchen. "The stainless steel does scratch, but it holds up well and the scratches add character and make the kitchen feel lived in," the owner of the house says. "We wanted a very clean look—no outlets showing."

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Traditional-Yet-Modern Kitchen

This kitchen is proof that strategically placed stainless steel can work in a kitchen with a traditional feel. "The appliances are mostly stainless steel, the counters and backsplash are stainless, and the cabinets are all ebony-stained, from Boffi," says designer Paul Siskin. "I had the island made from old wood. That, the vintage lights, and the band of windows are just enough to keep it from looking sleek and inappropriate. Also, the pantry is exposed enough that you get a peek at a lot of great crockery on the open shelves."

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Sleek, Minimalist Kitchen

It's hard to believe that this sleek, minimalist kitchen full of stainless steel in Lake Bluff, Illinois sits inside a 1900s farmhouse! "The sink and stainless-steel counter are all one piece—no seams—so crumbs don't get caught, and I like the built-in drainboard," says designer Julie Stevenson.

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Shimmering Kitchen

Stainless steel adds shimmer and the illusion of size to this small Atlanta kitchen. "There are no cabinets above the marble countertop, just chunky floating shelves wrapped in stainless steel," says designer Phoebe Howard.